Let’s dive into the fascinating world of furniture styling—specifically, the art of mixing and matching furniture to create that perfect homey vibe in any standard apartment.
Whether you’re channeling your inner Brooklyn hipster or just love an effortlessly Boho chic look, finding the balance between eclectic and cohesive styles can be quite the adventure.
Picture this: you’ve moved into your new cozy Brooklyn apartment (maybe you even bought your first piece of NYC real estate), and you’re eager to give it that cool, laid-back charm that epitomizes the hipster scene.
You’ve got the exposed brick walls, the Edison bulbs, and maybe even a few vintage vinyl records. Now, it’s time to tackle the furniture. This is where the magic happens.
How to Style a Boho Chic Hipster Brooklyn Apartment
1. Start with a Vision
Before you run wild in thrift stores and flea markets, take a moment to visualize what you want your space to feel like. Do you crave a space that’s bursting with personality and mismatched flair?
Or perhaps you prefer a more curated and streamlined look? Understanding your design preferences will help you strike the right balance between eclectic and cohesive.
The Eclectic Approach to Styling an Apartment
Eclectic styling is all about celebrating individuality and embracing contrasts. This means mixing different furniture styles, eras, and textures to create an effortless, “collected over time” feel.
In any Brooklyn hipster apartment (like my Williamsburg apartment), you’ll often find an eclectic mix of vintage pieces, mid-century modern finds from any of the local vintage shops, and maybe even a splash of industrial elements.
Imagine a cozy, vintage leather sofa paired with a sleek, contemporary coffee table. I couldn’t afford a leather sofa so went for a gray, mid-century one from Article.com, paired with a sleek marble coffee table.
Add in a bohemian-style rug, a gallery wall featuring various art pieces, and a funky, reupholstered armchair from the ’70s. The key here is to embrace the unexpected and let your creativity flow.
I have a theater chair that badly needs reupholstering, but the eclectic style of it next to my mix of other furniture pieces works really well.
The Cohesive Approach to Styling an Apartment
On the flip side, the cohesive approach is more about creating a harmonious and unified look throughout your space. This style is perfect if you crave a well-put-together, polished apartment that exudes a sense of calm and balance.
In a Brooklyn hipster’s home with a cohesive style, you might encounter clean lines, a neutral color palette, and minimalist furniture.
Think of a contemporary, tailored sectional sofa in a soft gray hue, paired with a sleek and simple wooden coffee table.
Add in some abstract art pieces with black and white tones, a Scandinavian-inspired bookshelf, and a minimalist floor lamp. The goal here is to achieve a sense of order and tranquility without sacrificing personality.
2. Mix your Styles! Break the Mold!
Now comes the exciting part—blending the best of both worlds! That’s right, you can have your vintage cake and minimalist aesthetics too.
The key to mastering this blend lies in finding common threads that tie your diverse furniture pieces together.
For instance, you can opt for a cohesive color scheme that runs throughout your apartment. Imagine warm earthy tones like terracotta, sage green, and mustard yellow as the unifying elements.
With this base, you can now add in your eclectic touches, like a mix of vintage dining chairs around a modern dining table or a contemporary sideboard adorned with eclectic décor items.
Brooklyn Hipster Furniture Favorites & Essentials
In a typical Brooklyn hipster apartment, certain furniture items are always crowd-pleasers. Keep an eye out for these classics:
Mid-Century Modern Sofa
A staple piece that effortlessly combines style and comfort, perfect for both eclectic and cohesive setups.
Recommended brands: Article, Joybird, WestElm, RoveConcepts, Modway, IKEA, Castlery, and Blu Dot.
Reclaimed Wood Coffee Table
Adds a touch of rustic charm and sustainability to your space.
Recommended brands: ARHAUS, Crate & Barrel, and Etsy.
Vintage Accent Chairs
Look for unique, reupholstered chairs to add personality to your living room or bedroom.
Recommended brands: Anthologie, CB2, and Urban Outfitters.
Open Bookshelves
A practical yet stylish choice for displaying your vinyl record collection and an assortment of curated knick-knacks.
Recommended places to shop: Amazon, Wayfair, and AllModern.
Edison Bulb Pendant Lights
These vintage-style bulbs create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Recommended places to shop: Home Depot, Lowe’s, and local lighting shops like the Chandelier Furniture Factory in Bushwick (near Maria Hernandez Park), or Bulbs NYC on 14th Ave in Manhattan (near Union Square)
Remember, there’s no right or wrong way to mix and match furniture styles—it’s all about expressing your personality and making your apartment a reflection of who you are. Have fun exploring different combinations and trust your instincts. Before you know it, you’ll have a Brooklyn hipster apartment that’s the envy of all your friends (and isn’t that the point?).
So, whether you lean towards the eclectic side or the cohesive side, or you’re ready to blend them both, go forth and create a space that’s uniquely yours. Happy decorating!